Release Date: February 26, 2013
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: NetGalley
IBSN: 9781250012579
Blurb:“Bono met his wife in high school,” Park says.
“So did Jerry Lee Lewis,” Eleanor answers.
“I’m not kidding,” he says.
“You should be,” she says, “we’re sixteen.”
“What about Romeo and Juliet?”
“Shallow, confused, then dead.”
”I love you,” Park says.
“Wherefore art thou,” Eleanor answers.
“I’m not kidding,” he says.
“You should be.”Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.
I knew from the moment I saw Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell that I was going to love it. It was one of those book lover’s intuitions and it was spot on. Eleanor & Park is exactly that kind of angsty emotional story that I love. All the consuming and warm and fuzzy feelings of first love are captured perfectly. This is a book that I could read over and over again and never grow tired of it.
Eleanor & Park is told from alternating points of view. This gives the readers a really unique perspective of their journey to falling in love. My best compliment for this book is that it’s realistic. Eleanor is a very odd girl. She’s not someone that you come across often in YA. I loved how Park’s feelingsdeveloped for her. He was just too nice for his own good. Then before he knew it he was utterly in love with this odd girl. Their feelings played out so quietly at first, just nice gestures and errant thoughts. I couldn’t help but swoon.
Rainbow Rowell knows how to hook a reader. As soon as Elanor sat down with Park on the bus I was a goner. The budding relationship was my favorite part, but there’s a lot more to the story. Eleanor has a very troubled home life and it was heartbreaking to see what she had to go through on a day to day basis. She was such a strong character. I really just loved her. Park also has a rocky relationship with his father and it was fascinating to see their push and pull with each other. I loved all the pop culture references since the book takes place in the 80′s.
This book makes me heavy sigh just thinking about it. I would read it again in a heartbeat. I will certainly be reading everything by Rainbow Rowell that I can get my hands on. It goes without saying that I recommend Eleanor & Park. It was one of the most realistic and heart wrenching love stories I’ve read.
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Reading this one next! I didn’t know it takes place in the 80s. Awesome review <3
Bethzaida recently posted..Shooting Scars by Karina Halle Cover Reveal
I hope you enjoy it!
I’m DYING to read this book! It just looks so good! And yours is the first review I’ve read, so I’m glad you enjoyed it!
KM recently posted..Blog Tour: Q&A with Miriam Forster, Author of City of a Thousand Dolls
I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
I’ve read Rainbow’s first book- Attachments and it was so sweet and wonderful. This one seems even better. I must read it by the end of this week.
Lovely review, Lori.
Zemira recently posted..Book Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
You must! I really want to read Attachments asap.
Great review! I had such a hard time writing a review for this one because I loved it beyond words. There’s a scene of holding hands which was so epic. Really a great book.
Ivana recently posted..WTSL Weekly
That scene was my favorite. I highlighted it on my Kindle.
This is coming up on my TBR pile soon and I am really looking forward to it. It sounds so fantastic, and I love that it’s set in the 80′s (My favorite!!) Great review hon!!
Amy @ Book Loving Mom recently posted..Blog Tour: Lennon’s Jinx by Chris Myers
I hope you love it as much as I did, Amy!
I totally agree! I loved this book. Great review.
Monica recently posted..IMM [14]
I have had my eye on Eleanor and Park. It looks very interesting, but I definitely think I will need to be in just the right mood to read it. I’m glad you loved it so much.
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted..Project Fairy Tale: East by Edith Pattou
I really want to read this book! I read her other book, Attachments, and loved it! Her characters and writing style are just great! I think this will be a must- buy for me.
candace recently posted..Middle Grade Review: Athlete vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack
You will LOVE this one! I thought about mentioning it to you when I was reading it, but I know you’re covered up with your ALA books.
I hope you get to read it soon, though. I really want to read Attachments.
Had my eye on this book for quite a while now. I love how simple the cover is. Great review.
Yay, I’m so glad you liked this one! I absolutely LOVE Rainbow Rowell and this book certainly disappoint. I loved the relationship between Eleanor & Park and their bond through music + comics. Fantastic review!
elena recently posted..(we have to rob the henley again) review: perfect scoundrels by ally carter
Ohhhh I can tell just from reading the summary bit that I will LOVE this book! The stuff that Eleanor is saying sound exactly like things I would say. Plus, the cover is stinkin adorable. And alternate points of view? YES. I am so excited for this one!
I picked this up in a book shop at the weekend and I got the same feeling, it just seemed like exactly the kind of thing I would love. I didn’t buy it (because I am trying not to buy any books at the moment!), but it’s on my list for a future purchase. The 80s nostalgia sounds too good to pass up!
kit recently posted..Review: Rose By Any Other Name, Maureen McCarthy
I hope you do love it when you pick it up.
So glad you loved this one, Lori! I’m a fan of Rowell’s writing and I’ll pick up any of her books. Great to find a book with re-reading potential, and you make this one sound wonderful.
Lucy @ The Reading Date recently posted..Mailbox Monday #36
This sounds amazing! I love that this is set in the 80s and how they both know that first loves don’t always last, not enough realistic contemporary stories like this. Definitely going to check this out, great review
Charlotte @ Gypsy Reviews recently posted..Book Review: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer (#10)
It’s definitely a unique love story. I love it so much
I cannot wait to read this one… after loving Attachments, I have a strong feeling this will be another favorite for the year!
Glad to hear you enjoyed it so thoroughly!
Estelle @ Rather Be Reading recently posted..Estelle: The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding
Oh, Lori! I’m just beginning this one and I’m so excited I read your review. I just finished such a sweet and innocent book so beginning E&P was so drastically different. I’m only 10% in, but I’m sure my attention will be hooked very, very soon.
Magan recently posted..Our Joint Shelve It and DC Trip Re-Cap
I have this one as well and can’t wait to get to it. Even more so after reading your review!
Rachel @The Readers Den recently posted..Review: Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3) by Ally Carter
While their individual stories are certainly very interesting, I enjoyed reading about Eleanor & Park’s relationship most of all. I thought the portrayal of their friendship-turned-something more was spot on, authentic and real and it made me nostalgic for the feelings of first falling in love.
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